Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1887-07-13

ed very largely OF men entitled 10
lasting honor and consideration. and
whose GROWING glory it should be
that they are American citizens as
we'll as veteran soldiers, deems it a
part Of their mission to compass any
object or purpose by attempting to in
timidate the executive or coerce those
charged with making and executing
the laws. And yet the expressions to
which l have referred indicate such a
prevalence of unfriendly feeling and
such n menace 10 an occasion which
should be harmonious. peaceful and
cordial. that they cannot be ignored.
/ beg you to understand that lam not
conscious of any act of mine which
should make me fear to meet Grand
Army of the Republic or any assem-
blage of my fellow citizens. The ac'
count of my official stewardship is al
ways ready for presentation to my
countrymen. l should not be frank
if failed to confess that while dis
claiming all resentment, that have
been hurt by the unworthy and wan
ton attacks upon me growing out of
this matter, and the reckless manner
in which my actions and motives have
been misrepresented both publically
and privately, for which, however, the
Grand Army of the Republic as
body, is by no means responsible.
The threats of personal violence
ard harm in case l undertake the trip
in question, which scores of misguided,
unbalanced men under stimulation Of
excited feeling have made, are not
even considered. Rather than aban-
don my visit to the west and disap-
point your citizens ! might, if | alone
were concerned, submit to the insult
to which it is quite openly asserted |
would be helplessly subjected If pres,
ent at the encampment but should
bear with me the peoples highest Of
fee, the dignity Of which | must pro-
tect and l believe that neither the
Grand Army of the Republic as an
organization, nor anything like ma
iority of its members, would ever en-
courage any scandalous attack upon
it. If, however, among the member
ship of this body there are some, as
certainly seems to be the case, deter
mined to denounce me and my official
acts at the national encampment, be-
lieve they should be permitted to do SO
unrestrained by my presence as guest
of their organization, or as guest OF
the hospitable city in which their
meeting is held. A number of Grand
Army posts have signifed their inten-
ton, am informed, to remain away
from the encampment in case visit
the city at that time. Without consid-
ering the merit of such an excuse, l
feel that ought not to be the cause
of such non-attendance. The time
and place of the encampment were
fixed long before my invitations were
received. Those desiring to partici'
pate in its proceedings should be first
regarded, and nothing should be per-
mitted to interfere with their inten-
tons.
Another consideration of more i'm
portance than all others remains to
to be noticed. The fact was referred
to by you when you verbally present
ed the invitation Of the citizens of st.
Louis, the coming encampment of the
Grand Army of the Republic would
he the first held in q southern state.
] suppose this fact was mentioned as
pleasing indication of the fraternal
feeling fast gaining ground throughout
the entire land, and hailed by every
patriotic citizen as an earnest that the
union has really and in fact been saw
ed in sentiment and spirit, with all
the benefits vouchsafed to a united
people. I cannot rid myself of the
belief that the least discord on this
propitious occasion might retard the
progress of the sentiment of common
brotherhood which the Grand Army
of the Republic has SO good an OPP
portunity to increase and foster. ]
certainly onght not to be the cause Of
such discord In any event or any pre-
text. 1t seems to me that you and
the citizens of ST. Louis are entitled
to this unreserved statement of the
conditions which have constrained me
to forego my contemplated visit, and
to withdraw my acceptance of your
invitation. My presence in your city
at the time you have indicated can be
of little moment compared to the i'm.
portance of the cordial and harmoni-
Gus entertainment of your Other
guests. ] assure you that | abandon
my plan without the least personal feel
ing except regret, constrained thereto
by sense of duty, actuated by de-
sire to save any embarrassment to the
people Of st. Louis or their expected
guests. and with heart Of grateful
appreciation of the sincere and unaf-
fected kindness of your citizens.
Hoping the encampment may be an
occasion Of much usefulness, and that
its proceeding may illustrate the high
est patriotism of American citizenship.
am yours very sincerely,
GROVER CLEVELAND.